Electrical sparking device.



W. J. CUNNINGHAM.

ELECTRICAL SPANKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5. 1912 Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

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WILLIAM J. CUNNINGHAM, TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRED G.

lnlEYER, F TOLEDO, OHIO.

ELECTRICAL SPARKING DEVICE.

:Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented Apr. 1st, 1914.

Application filed August 5, 1912. Serial No. 713,460.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLL-ii: J. CUN- NINGI-IAQL a citizen of the UnitedStates, and

- and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertams to make and use the same, reference being had to the.

accompanying drawings, and to the charac ters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. 1

My invention relates to electrical sparking devices of the type in which "the contact between two or more electrodes is broken by magnetic action. I

In the use of devices of this class con-- siderable difficulties have been encountered, principal among them being, the rapid vibrating or repeated contacting of the electrodes when the timer circuit is closed, which injures the electrode points and causesdeleterious sparkin at the timer; the inability to secure a sucie'ntly rapid sparking for use in connection with high speed engines; the necessity of keeping the sparking devices dry and in a comparatively cool place, and the inability of securing a single strong flash or spark at each contact ofthe'timer.

The primary object of my inventionis the provision of an improved sparking device of this character which is simple and inexpensive in its construction, eflicient in its operation and designed to .overcome the defects and objections above noted, whereby to enhance the practicability and commercial value of such devices.

.A further object of the invention is to provide a sparking device of this character which is so constructed as' to prevent the possibilit'ybf a short circuit occurring between the casing thereof and the engine casing both of such parts being on one side of the circuit, thus preventing short circuiting of the device when in use.

A further object/of the invention is the provision of means which is automatically operable to prevent a multiple or vibratory contacting of the electrodes at each circuit closing period and a consequent arcing at the timer contacts, which latter is due to the '\-'ibratory or rapid intermittent contacting of the electrodes, thus prolonging the lives of greatest movement 0f the of both the timer contacts and the electrode polnts.

A further object of the invention is the PI'OVISIOII of means which is automatically operable by compression within the cylinder to prevent a multiple contacting of the electrodes when the timer circuit is closed and for assisting the magnetic means in effecting a quick separation of the contact points.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means which will not act to break the contact between the electrodes upon the energizing of the electromagnet but will permit a thorough energizing of the electromagnet and sparking circuit before the contact between the electrodes is broken, whereby to produce a strong spark and a quick breaking of the contact between the electrodes, thus facilitating the use of the device in high speed engines.

A further object of the inventi is to so form the armature that the magnetic influence of the electromagnet thereon when onergized is concentrated adjacent the point armature, whereby to facilitate a rapid action of the same for high speed purposes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a. loose roller contact part on one of the electrodes which is turned slightly at each sparking operation by reason of the electrode contacts having a wiping action when making or breaking contact, thus producing a greater flash-or arc than is possi ble with the make and break contact system ordinarily employed, and effects a self cleaning of the points and the presenting of a new or clean surface at each contact.

Further objects and advantages of the in- .vention will be apparent from the following description. I

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and while, in its broader aspect, it is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichr Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a sparkingdevice embodying the ihvention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of a part of the electromagnet. Fig. 3is a top plan I view of the armature and its carrying parts removed from the shell. Flg. 4 1s abottom -plan view of the movable electrode carrying part, with the electrode in section, and Fig. I

is a side elevation of the electrode carrying portion of the device and the associated operating parts with portions in section.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a shell, preferably of metal, or may be of any suitable material, within the outer end portion of which is mounted an electromagnet, of which 2 is the core and 3 the encircling coil. The core 2 preferably comprises a plurality of soft iron wires, as it is found in practice that with such construction the rapid rise and fall of the magnetism necessary to the efficient and satisfactory operation of apparatus of this character is better taken care of than ifasolid iron core is employed.

The spool 4 within which the core is disposed and around which the coil is wound,

may be of any suitable construction, and is shown as having its outer end provided with an outwardly projecting annular flange 5, which fits into a registering flanged open-- ing in the outer end of the shell. A terminal-post 6 is suitably anchored within the spool flange 5, being insulated therefrom in any suitable manner, and ha the terminal binding-nuts 7,-7 threaded '0 its outer end. One end of the coil wire is attached to the terminal post 6, while the other end of the coil, which terminates at the opposite end of the electromagnet, has electrical connection with a spring-finger 8, which extends at least partially across the lowerend of the magnet. The-spring 8 and the connection between it and the coil end are insulated both from the shell 1 and spool 4, as best shown in Fig. 2, so that. the current will not be short-circuited to the shell. The electromagnet is rigidly suspended within the upper or outer end of the shell by an insulating nut 9, which is threaded over the post 6 before the nuts 7 are placed thereon and hasits outer edge projected over the flange at the end of the shell, as shown in ig. 1.

A plug 10 is threaded into the inner or open end of the shell 1, and has its outer end portion reduced and adapted to thread into the customary spark plug opening in an engine cylinder. This plug is provided longitudinally therethrough with an opening 11, and has its free end, or that which is intended to project within an engine cylinder, provided at one side thereof with an extensionyl2, which forms the fixed electrode of the device, being provided for such purpose adjacent to its end with a laterally projecting contact point 13.

The movable electrode of the device comprises the bar 14, which projects longitudinally through the opening 11 of the plug 10 and is provided near its inner end with a ball or spherically bearing part 15, which is mounted within a socket provided in the c nter of the bearing member 16 through which the electrode 14 projects, thus adapting such electron-J to have universal pivotal movements relative to -said member. The ball 15 is held to its seat within the socket by a removable plug 17, which is threaded into the member '16 and forms a part of the ball holding socket. The member 16 has an annular flange 18 projecting therefrom and insulatingly clamped at its outeredge between two holding rings 19 and-20, the latter of which is threaded into an annular flange depending from the former. The clamp which is thus formed is firmly secured within the inner or open end portion of the shell 1' in spaced relation to the electromagnet by reason of the outer end portion of the ring 19 being clamped between an annular internal shoulder 21 in the shell;

and the inner end of the plug 10.

The outer end of the electrode 14 is preferably provided with a loose roller contact part 22, which is intended to make peripheral contact with the end of the point 13 on the fixed electrode 12. The roller 22 pref- I erably has a slight wiping action against the point 13 when making and breaking contact therewith so as to cause it to turn slightly upon the bar 14 at each sparking operation, thus causing its point of contact with the point, 13 to constantly change and effecting a self-cleaning of the contact parts.

An armature 23 is mounted within the space between the movable electrode carry-' ing part 16-18 and the electromagnet, being hinged adjacent to one side thereof to a lug 24 rising from the part 18. This armature is preferably of disk form and is attracted to the magnet upon an energizing of the same. In order that the armature may respond quickly to a magnetizing of the magnet, its free end portion, or that which is more remote from its hinge, is made of steel or other suitable material which is highly sensitive. to magnetic action while the inner or hinged end portion there'- of is made of'brass or othersuitable material which is less sensitive to such action. These materials are respectively designated in Fig. 3, by the lettersa and I). This form of armature very materially enhances the e'fiici-ency of the device-for use in high speed engines. The armature 23 is normally held in its lowered or seated position by the action thereon of thespring finger 8: which bears at its free end against the upper side of the armature adjacent to its free or outer end. This 5 ring also serves as anelectrical connection etween the coil and. movable electrode 14, as the current is carried thereby to the armature and thence to the i'novable electrode, the upper or inner. end of which works into an opening 25 in the; central portion of the armature and has contact with the part a thereof.

lntorder to'cause a movement .ofthe armature which is responsive to an energizing of the magnet to impart a rocking move ment to the electrode l l to break contact between the two electrodes, a pin 26 projects laterally from the inner end of the elect-rode bar 14 away from the armature hinge 24 and has its free end working loosely through a loop 27, which depends from the under side of the armature adjacent to its free end. It is evident that the bar 14 and pin. 26 cooperate to form an electrode of bell-crank lever form, and that a rising movement of the armature will cause the loop 2-7 to act onthe pin 26 to move it and the bar 14 to efl'ect a breaking of contact between the electrodes.

It will be noted that some play is provided between the lower end of the loop and the pin 26 so that the loop will not engage the pin and efl'ect a breaking of the contact ofthe electrodes until the armature has made a portion of its attracted movement. The purpose of this is to enable the coil to become thoroughly energized before the breaking of contact between the electrodes so that a current of maximum strength will flow through the electrodes at the time of breaking contact, thus creating an arcing flash of greater intensity than would other wise be the case. Such connection also enables the armature to gather some momentum-before picking up and moving the electrode, so that the contact breaking of the electrodes, when accomplished, 'will be quicker than if the armature acts on the pin as soon as it starts its attracted'niove ment.

The movable electrode is'normally held in contact with its companion by the action on its inner end of a spring finger 28, which is attached at one end to a post 29; which rises from the side of the flange 18 adjacent to the armature Q3, and has its free end bearing against the inner end of the electrode bar 1-1 in a direction to force its outer end into lateral conta ct with the point 13 of the fixed electrode.

The flange 18 is provided beneath the/free end portion of the armature 23 with a cvlinder 25) in which a plunger 30 works. This plunger has a needleval've 31 provided on its lower side and adapted to seat in and close a small orifice 32 in the outer end of the cylinder casing. Thls orifice has its outer end 111 connection through the hollow of the plug 10 with the compression end ofan engine cylinder to which the device is attached, so that pressure within the engine cylinder is permitted to pass to the interior of the cylinder 29, when the valveiil is unsealed, and act against. the lower side of the plunger 30. A stem 33 rises from the top of the plunger 30 through the upper end of the cylinder casing and has its outer or free end attached to the armature 23 to Upon the initial rising or attracted movement of the armature, and before the electrode le has been .moved to break contact with its companion, the valve 31 is raised from its seat in the orifice to permit the pressure, which is present in the engine cylinder, to enter the small cylinder 29 and act uponv the plunger 30 to assist the electromagnet in raising the armature, thereby securing a quicker and more powerful breaking increment of the electrodes thanwould otherwise be the case. In addition to this, the plunger 30 maintains the electrodes separated until the pressure within the cylinder has been exhausted or diminished, thus preventing the objectionable vibrating and repeated contacting of the electrodes and consequent arcing at the timer contacts at each sparkingoperation. The plunger stem and armature, are shown in the present, instance,

as being connected by inserting the outer end of the plunger stem into an opening 34k in the armature and providing such opening and the stem with interengaging portions,

as indicated at 35 in Figs. 3 and 5. The stem may be moved from engagement with the armature by moving it laterally therein into an enlarged portion in the opening 31.

To facilitate a proper relative positioning of the plug 10 and movable electrode holding member, when such parts are assembled, a stud 36 projects inwardly mm the inner end portion of the plug 10 into a socketed post 37, which projects downward from the under side of the member 18. The post 37 is insulated from said member to prevent a short-circuiting of the current to the inner end portion of the plug' '10.

In the use of my improi 'ed sparking de vice each closing of the timer circuit, which isin series with the. electromagnet, causes an electric current to flow through the coil 3, spring 8 and armature 23 to the electrode bar l-i and thence through the fixed electrode l2 and cylinder casing back to the timer in ,a manner well understood in the art. Upon an energizing of the electromagnet the armature 23 is raised .or swung toward the magnet due to the magnetic influence of the magnet thereon. thus raising the plunger 30 to unseat the valve 3 The un-' sealing of the valve 31 is effected as soon as the armature begins its responsive movement, thus opening the cylinder 29 of the sparking device to the compression end of the engine cylinder to permit the pressure in the latter to enter the Former and act on the plunger 30 to assist the electroinagnet in the further raising of the arn'iature. it will be evident ,that this compression operated means, in conjunction with the magnetic action of the electromagnet, imparts a quick and powerful opening movement to the armature and a consequent quick breaking of the contact between the electrodes.-

As the armature loop 2'7 is normally spaced from the electrode pin 26, the electrode will not be moved to break contact with its companion. until the armature has traversed a part of its opening or responsive movement, thus permitting a thorough building up of the current in the coil and electrodes before the breaking of contact, and also enabling the armature to gain momentum before moving the electrode so that the contact breakmg movements of the electrode will be quicker than would otherwise be the case.

The compression actuated plunger 30, in addition to assisting the electromagnet in obtaining a quick opening movement of the armature, also serves to maintain the armature and movable electrode in their moved or attracted positions until the compression within the engine cylinder has become exhausted or diminished to a predetermined I wish it understood that the invention isnot limited to any specific construction or arrangement of the parts, or necessarily to the use in combination of the parts described, except in so far as suchlimitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is,- v

1. In an electrical sparking device, an electromagnet, an armature responsive thereto, a fixed electrode, 'a movable electrode movable by a responsive movement of the armature to break contact with the fixed electrode, and compression actuated means for assisting the electromagnet in moving the armature to break the contact.

'2. An electrical sparking device having fixed and movable electrodes, and bothcom-' pression and electrically operated means for assisting in imparting movements to the movable electrode to cause it to break contact with its companion.

3. An electrical sparkin device having relatively movable electrodes, compression actuated means for imparting relative movements to the electrodes, said means normally standing in one position and bein inoperative when in such position, and e ectrically operated means for initially moving said first means from normal position.

4. The combination with an engine cylinder, .of an electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, a second cylinder in communication with the combustion end of the engine cylinder, means normally closingthe comi'nunication between said cylinders and operable by engine cylinder compression to impart contact breaking movements to one of said electrodes when said communication is opened, and electrical means for controlling the opening of the communication between the two cylinders.

5. The combination with an engine cylinder, of an electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, a second cylinder in communication with the engine cylinder, .means having a part working in said second cylinder and normally closing the communication between the two cylinders and operable by engine cylinder compression to break contact between the electrodes when the communication between the cylinders is controlled by a movement of said first means and operable by fluid pressure to assist the electromagnet in moving said first means...

7. An electrical sparking device having movable electrodes, an electromagnet, and an armature responsive to the electromagnet and adapted to break contact between the electrodes when moved in one direction, and fluid pressure operated means for acting on said armature to assist the electromagnet in moving the armature to break contact between the electrodes.

8. The combination with an engine cylinder, of an electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, an electromagnet, an armature responsive to an energizing of the electromagnet for moving one of said electrodes to break contact with its companion, and means having a part in connection with the armature and movable by compression within the cylinder after the initial contact breaking movement of the armature to assist the electromagnet in imparting electrode contact breaking movements to the armature.

9. The combination with an engine cylinder, of an electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, an electromagnet, an armature connected to one of said electrodes and responsive to an energizing of the electromagnet to movesaid'eleetrode to break contact with its companion, a chamher having communication with ,the compres sion end of theplunger, a-cylinder movable in said chamber and attached to the armat e and operable upon an initial "responsive movement of the armature to admit engine cylinder pressure to said chamber to act upon the plunger to assist the electromagnetin moving the armature to break contact between the electrodes.

10. An electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, an electromag- I cylinder compression for retainingeleetrodes spaced after their contact breaking action until the pressure within the cylinder has been reduced a predetermined extent.

12. The combination with an engine cylinder, of an electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, an electromagnet, means'responsive to an energizing of the electromagnet for effecting a breaking of contact between the electrodes, and means actuated by compression within the cylinder for maintaining the electrodes spaced after contact is broken therebetween and until the pressure within the cylinderhas been reduced, said latter means being inoperative until said first means has begun its responsi ve movement.

13. An electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, means intermittently operable to break contact between the electrodes, and fluid pressure operated means for holding the electrodes separated for predetermined intervals after each contact breaking action thereof.

14. The combination with an engine cylinder, of an electrical sparking device lr v-J in relatively movable electrodes, means for re.atively moving the electrodes to breakcoutact therebetwecn, and means actuated by cylinder compression for retaining the electrodes spaced after their contact breaking action until the pressure within the cylinder has been reduced a predetermined extent.

15. An electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, electrical n'icans intermitteutl operable to relatively move the electrodes to break contact. and means movable with a part of said first means and automatically operable to assist said means in its electrode lllOVlHQ ilCiiOl'l and being inoperative when said means is in normal position.

16. The combination with an engine cylinder. oi" an electrical sparking device havingrclativcl n'io'vable electrodes, means operable to cit'ect an intermittent breakii'ig of contact between the electrodes, a chamber .side thereof through which having communication with the compression end of the cylinder, a member movable in said chamber and attached to said electrdde moving means for movements there with and operable upon an initial electrode breaking movement of said means to admit engine cylinder pressure to "aid chamber to act upon the member to assist said means in breaking cont-act between the electrodes.

17. The combination with anengine cylinder, of an electrical sparking device having relatively movable electrodes, electrically energized means normally standing in one position and intermittently operable to break contact between the electrodes. a chamber having communication with the mar pression end of the cylinder a plunger movable in said chamber and attached to said means for movement therewith and adapted to close the communication between the chamber and cylinder when the means is in its normal position, said plunger being acted on by fluid pressure from the cylinder to as--' sist said means in breaking contact between the electrodes when the plunger has been moved from its normal. position by said means.

18. In an electrical sparking device, an electromagnet, a fixed electrode. an electrode mounted for rocking movements and having a finger projecting therefrom transversely of its rocking axis, and an armature responsive t0 the. electrmnagnet and barring a part in loose sliding engagement with said finger to impart contact breaking movements to the movable electrode when the armature is moved upon an energizing of the electro magnet. the elcctroniagnet coil and the electrodes; being in circuit.

19. In an electrical sparking device, an electromagnct, a fixed electrode, a pivotally movable electrode having a iingerprojccting from its inner end transversely of its rocking axis, an armature responsive to the electromagnct and having a: loop on one said finger loosely projects for moving the electrode to break contact with its companion when the armature is movco responsive to said mag net. and means acting to normally hold the electrodes in contact.

20. In an electrical sparking device, a shell. an electromagnet disposed therein and having one terminal of its coil projecting from the shell. atixcd electrode projecting from one end of the shell and having an opening thercthrough, a movable. electrode mounted within saidopening for universal pivotal movements. an armature disposed within the shell between the electrodes and elcctromagnet and responsive to the latter. connection between the armature and the movable electrode to impart n'iovcnicnts from one to the other, and means acting on the armatlire to normally hold it retracted said member and having its outer end from the electromagnet and cooperating with the armature to electrically connect a terminal of the electromagnet coil and the movable electrode, said shell and fixed electrode forming one side of the sparking circuits.

21. In an electrical sparking device, a shell having an end projected and formin a fixed electrode, an electromagnet dispose within the end portion of the shell opposed to said electrode, a bearing member fixedly mounted within the shell intermediate said electroinagnet and having a bearing therein; an armature disposed between said member and electromagnet and pivotally attached to said member at one side of its bearing, said armature being responsive to the electromagnet, means yieldingly retaining the armature in one position of its movement, a movable electrode mounted in the bearing of 01-- tion capable of contacting with the xed electrode and its inner end portion provided with a laterally projecting finger having loose connection with said armature where- Copies of this patent may be obtained fcr by a responsive movement of the armature rocks the'movable electrode to break contact With its companion, the electromagnet coil and the movable electrodebeingin elec trical connection and said shell and fixed electrode forming one side of the sparking circuit.

22. In an electrical sparking device, a

fixed electrode and a movable electrode mounted for universal movements, means intermittently operable to'move the movable electrode to break contact with its companion, and a'spring acting on the movable electrode in a direction different from the action of said means thereon whereby the five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

